Hair-setting composition

ABSTRACT

An aqueous cosmetic composition for fixing hair includes an aqueous dispersion of: a) particles of a film-forming polymer containing carboxylic acid functions neutralized to a degree of neutralization of between 10 and 80% using a non-volatile monobasic agent, the particles having an average diameter of between 10 and 300 nm, and b) at least one plasticizing agent. The composition may be utilized in an aerosol lacquer, a fixing or setting lotion or a styling mousse.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/256,019 filed Aug. 29,1994, now abandoned, which in turn is a national stage application ofPCT/FR93/01063, filed Oct. 28, 1993, published as WO94/09749 May 11,1994.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aqueous cosmetic composition forfixing the hair, containing an aqueous dispersion of particles of afilm-forming polymer and of at least one plasticizing agent.

More especially, the present invention relates to hair-care compositionsin the form of an aerosol lacquer, a fixing or setting lotion oralternatively a styling mousse.

BACKGROUND

For some years, the production of aqueous cosmetic hair-carecompositions has aroused very special interest. In effect, the use ofalcohol such as ethanol or isopropanol, alone or mixed with a smallproportion of water, can have some drawbacks, in particular an increasein inflammability when the composition is in the form of an aerosollacquer.

Moreover, on ecological grounds, with a view to preserving, inparticular, the ozone layer, the present tendency is to replacefluorochlorohydrocarbons of the "FREON" type in aerosols by less toxicpropellants such as hydrocarbons, compressed air or dimethyl ether.

These various requirements regarding the nature of the vehicle and ofthe propellent agent are extremely difficult to reconcile on account ofthe many factors involved.

Thus, while most water-soluble film-forming polymers can, in aqueoussolution, where appropriate in the presence of a plasticizing agent,lead to the production of an aerosol lacquer in the presence of an inertpropellent agent such as dimethyl ether. Such a lacquer suffers,however, from two major drawbacks.

The first is the low power of fixing the hair, inasmuch as only a lowconcentration of film-forming resin (<10% by weight) can be employed.

In effect, an increase in the concentration results in an increase inviscosity, and the outcome is that good diffusion can no longer beobtained.

The second drawback is the drying time, which is especially long incomparison to hair-care compositions in aqueous-alcoholic or alcoholicsolution. This is due to the fact that the vehicle is chiefly water andthat, the greater its proportion, the longer it will take to dry.

After many studies on a very large number of film-forming polymers forhair-care use, it has just now been found possible to overcome thesedrawbacks, and thus to obtain excellent aqueous cosmetic compositionsfor fixing the hair using an aqueous dispersion of particles of afilm-forming polymer and at least one plasticizing agent.

Aqueous dispersions of particles of a film-forming polymer are generallydesignated by the tennis "latex" or "pseudolatex".

However, the term "pseudolatex" denotes a dispersion consisting ofgenerally spherical particles of a film-forming polymer, these beingobtained by dispersion of the polymer in a suitable aqueous phase.

This term should not be confused with the term "latex" or "syntheticlatex", which is also a dispersion consisting of particles of a polymerwhich are obtained directly by polymerization of one or more monomers ina suitable aqueous phase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an aqueouscosmetic composition for fixing hair having an aqueous dispersion of: a)particles of a film-forming polymer containing carboxylic acid functionsneutralized to a degree of neutralization of between 10 and 80% using anon-volatile monobasic agent, the particles having an average diameterof between 10 and 300 nm, and b) at least one plasticizing agent. Thecomposition is utilized in an aerosol lacquer, a fixing or settinglotion or a styling mousse.

According to the invention, the aqueous dispersion of particles offilm-forming polymer is of the "pseudolatex" type, and in so far as itcontains a plasticizing agent, it will be designated hereinafter by theterm "plasticized pseudolatex".

The use of a plasticized pseudolatex enables cosmetic compositions forfixing the hair to be endowed with a very large number of advantages,and especially:

(a) a much faster drying time, this being due to the fact that lesswater can be used while having a high concentration of film-formingpolymer without viscosity problems being encountered, the polymer beingdispersed in the aqueous phase and not dissolved,

(b) the possibility of using a large quantity of propellent agent suchas dimethyl ether in aerosol lacquers, wherein no segregation ofconstituents has been observed with propellent quantities larger than35% by weight, thereby also favouring a better drying time;

(c) the production of excellent cosmetic properties relating to fixingpower, disentangling, the feel of the hair and the absence of powdering;

(d) good removal on shampooing without the need to use a specificshampoo;

(e) absence of a whitish appearance of the hair before drying, inparticular when the propellent agent of the aerosol lacquers is dimethylether, this being due to the fact that the particle size is very small.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The subject of the present invention, as a new industrial product, is anaqueous cosmetic composition for fixing hair, this consisting of anaqueous dispersion of:

a) particles of a film-forming polymer containing carboxylic acidfunctions, having an average diameter of between 10 and 300 nm, the saidpolymer being chosen from:

(i) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenated copolymers,

(ii) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers,

(iii) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers,

(iv) N-octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/hydroxypropylmethacrylate/acrylic acid/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers,

(v) methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride alternating copolymersmonoesterified with butanol,

(vi) acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butylacrylamide terpolymers, and

(vii) polymers corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR1##in which:

R, R' and R", which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogenatom or a methyl radical,

m, n and t are 1 or 2,

R₁ represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkylradical having from 2 to 21 carbon atoms,

R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, ethoxy,butoxy or dodecyloxy radical,

R₃ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbonatoms or an alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

Z represents a bivalent radical selected from the group consisting of:--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CH₂ -- and --CH₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ --,

v represents a number corresponding to from 10 to 91% and preferablyfrom 36 to 84% by weight of the polymer,

w represents a number corresponding to from 3 to 20% and preferably from6 to 12% by weight of the polymer,

x represents a number corresponding to from 4 to 60% and preferably from6 to 40% by weight of the polymer, and

y represents a number corresponding to from 0 to 40% and preferably from4 to 30% by weight of the polymer,

v+w+x+y being equal to 100% by weight of the polymer having the generalformula (I), and

the carboxylic acid functions of the said polymer being neutralized to adegree of neutralization of between 10 and 80% using a non-volatilemonobasic agent, and

b) at least one plasticizing agent, the said agent being distributedaccording to its partition coefficient between the said particles andthe aqueous phase.

Among vinyl acetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenated copolymers,"Aristoflex A" of acid value 56 of the company Hoechst may be mentionedin particular.

As vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, "Luviset CA66" of acid value65 (vinyl acetate/crotonic acid 90:10) of the company BASF may bementioned.

Among vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers, "Resin28-29-30" of acid value 65 of the company National Starch may bementioned.

As N-octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/hydroxypropylmethacrylate/acrylic acid/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers,"Amphomer" of acid value 137 of the company National Starch may bementioned.

Among methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride alternating copolymersmonoesterified with butanol, "Gantrez ES425" of acid value 260 (methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride 50:50) of the company GAF may be mentioned.

As acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butylacrylamide terpolymers,special mention may be made of "Ultrahold 8" of acid value 62 of thecompany BASF.

As copolymers of formula (I), those described in French Patent No.78/30,596 (2,439,798) may be mentioned, and especially the followingcopolymers:

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate 65:10:25,

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/vinylneodecanoate 57:10:25:8,

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/vinylneodecanoate 70:10:10:10,

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl benzoate/vinyl neodecanoate70:10:10:10,

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/allyl stearate70:10:10:10.

According to the invention, it is desirable for the said aqueousdispersion to lead after drying to the formation of a film whose surfaceenergy is between 30 and 55 mJ/m² and whose polarity is between 0 and0.34 and preferably less than 0.25.

The surface energy of the film is determined by depositing a drop ofwater and a drop of diiodomethane on the film, measuring the angleformed by each drop with the film and then calculating the surfaceenergy of the said film according to the method described in"Wettability of Some Low Energy Surfaces", A. EL. Shimi, E. D.Goddard-Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 48, no. 2 (1974).

The polarity of the film is calculated according to the method describedin "Polar and Nonpolar Interactions in Adhesion" S. Wu, J. Adhesion,vol.5, pp 39-55, (1973).

The film-forming polymers containing carboxylic acid functions asdefined above are synthetic polymers preferably having an averagemolecular weight of between 5,000 and 700,000, measured, for example, insteric exclusion chromatography.

These polymers are insoluble in water and are, for the most part,film-forming polymers commonly used for the production of cosmeticcompositions for fixing the hair.

The pseudolatices or aqueous dispersions of particles of film-formingpolymer of the cosmetic compositions according to the invention areobtained according to known methods for preparing pseudolatices,subject, however, to certain special features which will be mentionedbelow.

The general process for preparing pseudolatices consists in dissolving awater-insoluble polymer in an organic solvent which is soluble orpartially soluble in water. The solution thereby obtained is dispersedin water with stirring and thereafter the organic solvent is removed byevaporation under vacuum, which results in a suspension consisting ofparticles of the polymer whose size is generally less than 1 μm.

According to this general process, the use of a surfactant, a mixture ofsurfactants or a protective colloidal polymer, or alternatively of asurfactant/protective colloidal polymer mixture, is essential for thepurpose of obtaining good stabilization of the particles.

The film-forming polymers containing carboxylic acid functions asdefined above cannot be used as they are in the preparation of thepseudolatices, but must be neutralized to a degree of neutralization ofless than 100% for the purpose of avoiding their complete solubilizationin water.

By partial neutralization of the polymers, it was found to be possibleto obtain pseudolatices which are especially stable in the absence of ahydrophilic stabilizer or a surfactant or alternatively of a protectivecolloid.

The degree of neutralization of the film-forming polymers containingcarboxylic acid functions must hence be fully determined in such a waythat they remain insoluble in water while being soluble in the organicsolvent.

It is self-evident that the upper limiting degree of neutralizationwhich should not be exceeded in order for the polymer to remaininsoluble in water will be dependent on the nature of each film-formingpolymer containing carboxylic acid functions. In general, this degree ofneutralization is generally between 30 and 80% and preferably between 40and 70% if the polymer has less than 2 meq/g of carboxylic acidfunctions, and between 10 and 50% and preferably between 10 and 40% ifthe polymer has more than 2 meq/g of carboxylic acid functions.

According to the invention, the neutralization of the carboxylic acidfunctions is carried out using a non-volatile monobasic agent chosen,for example, from an inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide orpotassium hydroxide or from an amino alcohol selected from the groupconsisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), triethanolamine,triisopropanolamine (TIPA), monoethanolamine, diethanolamine,tris(2-hydroxy-1-propyl)amine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD)and 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol.

In the preparation of the pseudolatices used in the compositionsaccording to the invention, the neutralization of the carboxylic acidfunctions of the film-forming polymer is carried out in situ in thesolution of the polymer in the organic solvent, by adding the specifiedquantity of the non-volatile monobasic compound. The organic solventused must be a volatile solvent or a mixture of such solvents possessinga boiling point below that of water, and must be miscible or partiallymiscible with water.

The organic solvent as defined above is preferably chosen from acetone,methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate,isopropanol and ethanol.

After the solution of the partially neutralized polymer in the organicsolvent has been obtained, the preparation of an emulsion is thencarried out by pouring a suitable quantity of water, optionallycontaining an antifoaming agent whose role will be to facilitate thesubsequent evaporation of the organic phase, with stirring into theorganic solution obtained.

According to a variant of the process as defined above, theneutralization of the carboxylic acid functions of the polymer dissolvedin the organic solvent may be carried out during the formation of theemulsion by introducing an aqueous solution containing the requisitequantity of the non-volatile monobasic compound.

During the formation of the emulsion, the stirring is preferably carriedout using a shearing disperser of the Moritz or Ultra-Turrax or Raineritype equipped with deflocculating blades.

The emulsion thereby obtained is especially stable without it beingnecessary to employ a surfactant in so far as the carboxylate groups ofthe polymer position themselves at the interface with water and protectthe droplets from coalescence by electrostatic repulsion.

After formation of the emulsion at a temperature between roomtemperature and approximately 70° C., evaporation of the organic solventis then carried out under reduced pressure until it has been completelyremoved, the evaporation preferably being carried out with gentleheating.

A pseudolatex, that is to say an aqueous dispersion of particles of thefilm-forming polymer, is thereby obtained. This pseudolatex is free fromall surfactants or other hydrophilic stabilizers while being verystable, which is especially advantageous in hair-care cosmetics. Ineffect, the presence of a surfactant in an aerosol lacquer very oftenimparts adverse cosmetic properties to hair and a sensitivity tomoisture uptake which manifests itself in an unpleasant sticky feel.

The average size of the particles is between 10 and 300 nm, but ispreferably less than 250 nm.

The size polydispersity of the particles is relatively small accordingto this process for preparing the pseudolatex. Measured in quasi-elasticlight scattering, the size polydispersity of the particles is generallybetween 0.1 and 0.40 and preferably less than 0.35.

As is well known, plasticizing agents are generally liquid compoundswith a high boiling point which enable the gloss transition temperatureand also the softening temperature of polymers to be lowered, therebyendowing them with better flexibility.

The plasticizing agent is generally present in a proportion of between0.1 and 80%, preferably between 5 -and 40% and especially between 10 and30% by weight relative to the weight of the neutralized film-formingpolymer.

The plasticizing agent, which can be of the hydrophilic orhydrophobictype, is preferably introduced in the form of a mixture inthe organic solvent during the preparation of the pseudolatex, and inparticular when it is of the hydrophobic type.

When the plasticizing agent is of the hydrophilic type, it may beintroduced into the dispersion after the formation of the pseudolatex.

Among plasticizing agents which may be used according to the invention,there may be mentioned:

the Carbitols of the company Union Carbide, namely Carbitol ordiethylene glycol ethyl ether, methyl Carbitol or diethylene glycolmethyl ether, butyl Carbitol or diethylene glycol butyl ether oralternatively hexyl Carbitol or diethylene glycol hexyl ether,

the Cellosolves of the company Union Carbide, namely Cellosolve orethylene glycol ethyl ether, butyl Cellosolve or ethylene glycol butylether or hexyl Cellosolve or ethylene glycol hexyl ether, or

propylene glycol derivatives, and especially propylene glycol phenylether, propylene glycol diacetate, dipropylene glycol butyl ether andtripropylene glycol butyl ether, as well as the Dowanols of the companyDow Chemical, namely Dowanol PM or propylene glycol methyl ether,Dowanol DPM or dipropylene glycol methyl ether and Dowanol TPM ortripropylene glycol methyl ether.

Other plasticizing agents include:

diethylene glycol methyl ether or Dowanol DM of the company DowChemical,

oxyethylenated caster oil containing 40 mol of ethylene oxide, such asthat sold by the company Rhone Poulenc under the name "Mulgofen EL-719",

benzyl alcohol,

triethyl citrate sold by the company Pfizer under the name"Citroflex-2",

1,3-butylene glycol,

diethyl, dibutyl and diisopropyl phthalates and adipates,

diethyl and dibutyl tartrates,

diethyl, dibutyl and di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphates, or

glycerol esters such as glyceryl diacetate (diacetin) and glyceryltriacetate (triacetin).

The plasticizing agent is preferably chosen from the group consisting ofdipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether,diethyl adipate and diisopropyl adipate.

The percent weight concentration of the film-forming polymer in the formof particles in the pseudolatex obtained by the process as describedabove is generally between 5 and 50% and preferably between 10 and 25%relative to the total weight of the pseudolatex.

The viscosity of the pseudolatices at a concentration of 25% by weightof particles of film-forming polymer should preferably be between 10 cPand 3,000 cP (measured in a Contraves instrument at 25° C.).

The cosmetic hair-care compositions for fixing the hair according to theinvention take the form, as mentioned above, of an aerosol lacquer, afixing lotion for manual spraying, a setting lotion or alternatively astyling mousse. The weight proportion of polymer in these compositionsis between 1 and 40% relative to the total weight of the composition.

The use of a plasticized pseudolatex as defined above in the productionof aerosol lacquers possesses a very large number of advantages incomparison to the usual aerosol lacquers in which the same polymers areused in the dissolved state in aqueous, aqueous-alcoholic or alcoholicsolution.

The main advantage is that of being able to obtain water-based lacquerspossessing all the desired cosmetic properties and a much faster dryingtime than the usual water-based lacquers as a result of the presence ofa much smaller quantity of water.

Moreover, this drying time is also favoured in some cases by the factthat, by using a plasticized pseudolatex, the proportion of propellentagent relative to the aqueous phase containing the pseudolatex can beincreased to an especially significant extent without segregation ofconstituents and appearance of a second liquid phase taking place.

This is most especially true, and it has been possible to demonstratethis, when the propellent agent is dimethyl ether, which is a partiallywater-miscible liquified gas.

With this propellent agent, it is possible in this way to obtainexcellent aerosol lacquers containing a proportion of it which isgreater than or equal to 40% by weight.

In contrast, when the film-forming polymer is dissolved in the aqueousphase and no longer in the form of a pseudolatex, the proportion ofpropellent agent such as dimethyl ether must be maintained at a muchlower level if it is desired to avoid a phase separation. This resultsin a relatively large aqueous phase, generally of more thanapproximately 65% by weight, the outcome of which is a much longerdrying time.

Although reference has been made above to the use of dimethyl ether as apropellent agent, it is self-evident that other propellent agents may beemployed according to the invention for the production of the aerosollacquers.

Among these, nitrogen, compressed air, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons suchas propane, butane and iso-butane and fluorinated derivatives ofaliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons and in particular difluoroethanes,tetrafluoroethanes and octafluorocyclobutanes, may be mentioned inparticular, it being possible for them to be used alone or mixed. It ispreferable, according to the invention, to use dimethyl ether.

In the aerosol lacquers according to the invention, the plasticizedpseudolatex is used in a proportion such that the dispersed film-formingpolymer is present at a concentration of between 2 and 30%, andpreferably between 5 and 20% by weight relative to the total weight ofthe composition.

The total proportion of water is generally between 38 and 63% by weight,and preferably between 45 and 60% relative to the total weight of thecomposition.

The proportion of propellent agent, when it is liquifiable, such asdimethyl ether, is generally between 20 and 60% by weight and preferablybetween 30 and 55% by weight so as to yield a single liquified phasewithin the aerosol container.

When the hair-care composition according to the invention takes the formof a fixing or setting lotion, the plasticized pseudolatex is generallypresent in a proportion such that the composition possesses a content offilm-forming polymer of between 2 and 30% by weight and preferablybetween 5 and 20% by weight, the total water content being between 70and 86% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

When the composition according to the invention takes the form of astyling mousse, the plasticized pseudolatex is generally present in aproportion such that the composition possesses a content of film-formingpolymer of between 2 and 15% by weight and preferably between 2 and 10%by weight. The water content is preferably between 70 and 90% by weightand that of the propellent agent between 2 and 15% by weight, it beingpossible for the propellent agent to be one of those that are mentionedabove.

The cosmetic compositions for fixing the hair according to the inventioncan also contain various cosmetic additives such as sunscreen agents,polymers including the crosslinked homopolymer ofmethacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and crosslinkedcopolymers of acrylamide and a monomer chosen from neutralized2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid, ammonium acrylate andmethacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, proteins, silicones,organo-modified or otherwise, volatile or otherwise, antifoaming agents,hydrating agents humectants, perfumes, preservatives, colorants,antioxidants, and the like.

Several examples of preparation of plasticized pseudolatex will now begiven byway of illustration.

EXAMPLES OF PREPARATION OF THE PSEUDOLATICES Example 1

Preparation of the vinyl acetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenatedcopolymer ("Aristoflex A" of the company Hoechst)-tripropyleneglycolmonomethyl ether plasticized pseudolatex

50 g of "Aristoflex A" copolymer in powder (measured acid value=65) areadded gradually with stirring to a homogeneous solution of 186.9 g ofmethyl ethyl ketone, 3.115 g of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP)(quantity corresponding to 70% neutralization on the basis of the acidvalue of the "Aristoflex A" copolymer) and 10 g of tripropylene glycolmonomethyl ether.

After stirring has been continued for 30minutes, dissolution of thecopolymer is complete.

To the organic phase thereby obtained, an aqueous phase is added withstirring using a Moritz disperser at 2,500 rpm to produce the emulsion,this aqueous phase consisting of 274.45 g of deionized water and 0.57 gof a silicone antifoaming agent "Burst RSD10".

The addition of the aqueous phase is carried out in the course ofapproximately 15 minutes, and stirring is then maintained at 3,000 rpmfor 15 minutes. A moderately viscous emulsion of milky appearance isthereby obtained.

Evaporation of all of the organic solvent is then carried out using arotary evaporator under partial vacuum and heating to approximately40°-45° C. Evaporation is continued until the methyl ethyl ketone hasbeen completely removed in conformity with the azeotropic mixture formedwith water.

The quantity of water removed by formation of the azeotropic mixture isthen added back to the dispersion to obtain a plasticized pseudolatexhaving a concentration of film-forming polymer of 15% by weight and ofplasticizing agent of 3% by weight. The plasticized pseudolatex obtainedis stable, slightly blueish and opaque in appearance and moderatelyviscous.

The particle size was measured in quasi-elastic light scattering using aCoulter model M4 instrument, and gave the following results:

average particle size: 207 nm

polydispersity factor=0.11

According to the same procedure as that described above, plasticizedpseudolatices were also prepared using the commercial copolymers"Luviset CA 66", "Amphomer LV 71", "Gantrez ES425" and "Resin 28-29-30",containing tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether or diisopropyl adipateas plasticizing agent.

The production conditions and characteristics of the plasticizedpseudolatices obtained are given in Table I below.

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Pseudolatex       EX. 2    EX. 3    EX. 4    EX. 5    EX.                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                          6                       Film-forming polymer                                                                            LUVISET CA66                                                                           AMPHOMER GANTREZ ES425                                                                          RESIN 29-29-3U                                                                         RESIN 29-29-30          (acid value = I.sub.a)                                                                          I.sub.a = 74                                                                           I.sub.a = 137                                                                          I.sub.a = 260                                                                          I.sub.a = 65                                                                           I.sub.a = 65            Neutralizing agent                                                                              AMP      AMP      AMP      AMP      AMP                     Degree of neutralization                                                                        50%      30%      10%      50%      5 g                     ORGANIC PHASE                                                                 Quantity of polymer                                                                             60 g     150 g    12 g     60 g     60 g                    Quantity af neutralizing agent                                                                  3.5 g    9.90 g   0.451 g  3 g      3 g                     Plaeticizing agent                                                                              Tripropylene glycol                                                                    Tripropylene glycol                                                                    Tripropylene glycal                                                                    Tripropylene                                                                           Diisapropyl                                                                   adipate                                   monomethyl ether                                                                       monomethyl ether                                                                       monomethyl ether                                                                       monomethyl                                                                             12 gr                                     12 g     30 g     2.4 g    12 g                             Volatile organic solvent                                                                        Methyl ethyl ketone                                                                    Tetrahydrofuran                                                                        Methyl ethyl ketone                                                                    Methyl ethyl                                                                           Methyl ethyl                                                                  ketone                                    225 g    1063 g   45.15 g  225 g    231 g                   AQUEOUS PHASE                                                                 Silicone antifoam 0.69 g   1.71 g   0.137 g  0.69 g   0.69 g                  Deionized water   325 g    812 g    59.96 g  325 g    331 g                   Emulsion formation temperature                                                                  Room temperature                                                                       Room temperature                                                                       Room temperature                                                                       60° C.                                                                          60° C.           Polymer concentration in the pseudolatex                                                        15%      15%      20%      15%      15%                     Plasticizing agent concentration in the                                                         3%       3%       4%       3%       3%                      pseudolatex                                                                   Average particle diameter                                                                       247 nm   299 nm   206 nm   149 nm   200 nm                  Size polydispersity of the particles                                                            0.47     0.33     0.11     0.15     0.29                    Surface energy of the film                   35 mJ/m.sup.2                                                                          30 mJ/m.sup.2           Polarity                                     0        0                       __________________________________________________________________________

Example 7

Preparation of the vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl4-tert-butylbenzoate (6'5:10:25) copolymer-diethyl adipate plasticizedpseudolatex

The preparation of this copolymer is described in Example 19 of FrenchPatent No. 78/30,596 (No. 2,439,798) and it takes the form of beads from0.5 to 1 mm in diameter.

100 g of the copolymer defined above (acid value: 65) are addedgradually with stirring to a homogeneous solution of 280 g of acetone,6.2 g of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (quantity corresponding to 50%neutralization on the basis of the acid value) and 20 g of diethyladipate.

After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, dissolution of thepolymer is complete.

To the organic phase thereby obtained, an aqueous phase is added withstirring in the course of 5 minutes using a shearing disperser of theUltra-Turrax type at 2,000 rpm to produce the emulsion, this aqueousphase consisting of 265.55 g of deionized water and 1.14 g of a siliconeantifoaming agent (Burst RSD 10).

After the addition of the aqueous phase at room temperature is complete,stirring is continued for 10 to 15 min, making it possible to lead tothe production of a translucent and stable emulsion.

Concentration is then carried out using a rotary evaporator underpartial vacuum at a temperature below 45° C. After the acetone has beencompletely removed, a milky stable dispersion of low viscosity isobtained.

The concentration of film-forming polymer is 25% by weight, and that ofplasticizing agent 5% by weight.

The particle size was measured in quasi-elastic light scattering, usinga Coulter model M4 instrument, and gave the following results:

Average particle size: 161 nm

Polydispersity factor: 0.25

The characteristics of the film obtained after drying the plasticizedpseudolatex are:

Surface energy: 42 mJ/m²

Polarity: 0.29

According to the same procedure as that described above, otherplasticized pseudolatices were also prepared from the same polymer ofExample 19 of French Patent No. 78/30,596 (No. 2,439,798), but varyingthe degree of neutralization and deploying other neutralizing agents.

The characteristics of the plasticized pseudolatices obtained, togetherwith the production conditions, are given in Table II below.

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Pseudolatex    EX. 8 EX. 9   EX. 10                                                                              EX. 11  EX. 12 EX. 13                      __________________________________________________________________________    Film-forming polymer                                                                         Ditto Ex. 7                                                                         Ditto Ex. 7                                                                           Ditto Ex. 7                                                                         Ditto Ex. 7                                                                           Ditto Ex. 7                                                                          Ditto Ex. 7                 Neutralizing agent                                                                           AMP   Triethanolamine                                                                       TIPA  NaOH    KOH    AMP                         Degree of neutralization                                                                     70%   70%     60%   60%     70%    60%                         ORGANIC PHASE                                                                 Quantity of polymer                                                                          30 g  40 g    40 g  40 g    30 g   100 g                       Quantity of neutralizing agent                                                               2.17 g                                                                              4.95 g  5.32 g                                                                              /       /      /                           Plasticizing agent                                                                           Diethyl                                                                             Diisopropyl                                                                           Diisopropyl                                                                         Diethyl Diethyl                                                                              Diisoapropyl                               adipate                                                                             adipate adipate                                                                             adipate adipate                                                                              adipate                                    6 g   10 g    9 g   10 g    6 g    25 g                        Volatile organic solvent                                                                     Acetone                                                                             Acetone Acetone                                                                             Acetone Acetone                                                                              Acetone                                    81.83 g                                                                             105.14 g                                                                              106.7 g                                                                             109 g   83 g   275 g                       AQUEOUS PHASE                                                                 Silicone antifoam                                                                            0.34 g                                                                              0.45 g  0.45 g                                                                              0.45 g  0.45 g 1.14 g                      Quantity of neutralizing agent                                                               /     /       /     5.59 ml (5 N)                                                                         4.88 ml (5 N)                                                                        6.2 g                       Deionized water                                                                              81.49 g                                                                             104.68 g                                                                              106.2 g                                                                             104 g   79.66 g                                                                              260.55 g                    Emulsion formation temperature                                                               Room  Room    Room  Room    Room   Room                                       temperature                                                                         temperature                                                                           temperature                                                                         temperature                                                                           temperature                                                                          temperature                 Polymer concentration in the                                                                 25%   25%     25%   25%     25%    25%                         pseudolatex                                                                   Plasticizing agent concentration in                                                          5%    6.25%   5%    6.25%   5%     6.25%                       the pseudolatex                                                               Average particle diameter                                                                    90 nm 90 nm   188 nm                                                                              60 nm   100 nm 58 nm                       Size polydispersity of the particles                                                         0.22  0.32    0.4   0.25    0.35   0.3                         Surface energy of the film                        50 mJ/m.sup.2               Polarity                                          0.24                        __________________________________________________________________________

Various plasticized pseudolatices were also prepared from otherfilm-forming polymers described in French Patent No. 78/30,596.

The polymers used were as follows:

Polymer A

Vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/vinylneodecanoate (57:10:25:8) polymer.

Polymer B

Vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/vinylneodecanoate (70:10:10:10) polymer.

Polymer C

Vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl benzoate/vinyl neodecanoate(70:10:10:10) polymer.

Polymer D

Vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate/allyl stearate(70:10:10:10) polymer.

From the film-forming polymers A to D, plasticized pseudolatices wereprepared according to the same procedure as that described in Example 7.The production conditions and characteristics of the plasticizedpseudolatices obtained are given below in Table III.

                                      TABLE III                                   __________________________________________________________________________    Pseudolatex       EX. 14   EX. 15   EX. 16   EX. 17   EX.                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                          18                      Film-forming polymer                                                                            Polymer A                                                                              Polymer B                                                                              Polymer C                                                                              Polymer D                                                                              Polymer D               (acid value = I.sub.a)                                                                          I.sub.a = 65                                                                           I.sub.a = 65                                                                           I.sub.a = 65                                                                           I.sub.a = 65                                                                           I.sub.a = 65            Neutralizing agent                                                                              AMP      AMP      AMP      AMP      AMP                     Degree of neutralization                                                                        50%      50%      55%      40%      50%                     ORGANIC PHASE                                                                 Quantity of polymer                                                                             17.5 g   17.5 g   12.65 g  17.5 g   17.5 g                  Quantity of neutralizing agent                                                                  0.9 g    0.9 g    0.72 g   0.72 g   0.9 g                   Plasticizing agent                                                                              Diethyl adipate                                                                        Diethyl adipate                                                                        Diethyl adipate                                                                        Diethyl adipate                                                                        Diethyl adipate                           3.5 g    3.5 g    2.53 g   3.5 g    3.5 g                   Volatile organic solvent                                                                        Acetone  Acetone  Acetone  Acetone  Acetone                                   49.1 g   48.1 g   34.7 g   49.3 g   49.1 g                  AQUEOUS PHASE                                                                 Silicone antifoam 0.2 g    0.2 g    0.14 g   0.2 g    0.2 g                   Deionized water   47.9 g   47.9 g   34.5 g   49.1 g   47.9 g                  Emulsion formation temperature                                                                  Room temperature                                                                       Room temperature                                                                       Room temperature                                                                       Room teRperature                                                                       Room temperature        Polymer concentration in the pseudolatex                                                        25%      25%      25%      2%       25%                     Plasticizing agent concentration in the                                                         5%       5%       5%       5%       5%                      pueudolatex                                                                   Average particle diameter                                                                       120 nm   90 nm    100 nm   110 nm   90 nm                   Size polydispersity of the particles                                                            0.4      0.3      0.36     0.17     0.27                    __________________________________________________________________________

Example 19

Preparation of the vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl neodecanoateterpolymer ("Resin 28-29-30" of the company NationalStarch)-tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether plasticized pseudolatex

60 g of "Resin 28-29-30" terpolymer in powder form are added withstirring to a solution of 225 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 3 g of2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (quantity corresponding to 50%neutralization on the basis of the acid value of the "Resin 28-29-30"terpolymer).

After stirring has been continued for 30 minutes, dissolution of thecopolymer is complete.

To the organic phase thereby obtained, an aqueous phase is added withstirring using a Moritz disperser at 2,500 rpm to produce the emulsion,this aqueous phase consisting of 325 g of deionized water and 0.69 g ofsilicone antifoaming agent "Burst RSD10".

The addition of the aqueous phase is carried out in the course ofapproximately 15 minutes, and stirring is then maintained at 3,000 rpmfor 15 minutes. A moderately viscous emulsion of milky appearance isthereby obtained.

Evaporation of all of the organic solvent is then carried out using arotary evaporator under partial vacuum and heating to approximately40°-45° C. Evaporation is continued until the methyl ethyl ketone hasbeen completely removed in conformity with the azeotropic mixture formedwith water.

The quantity of water removed by formation of the azeotropic mixture isthen added back to the dispersion to obtain a pseudolatex having aconcentration of film-forming polymer of 15.4% by weight.

To the dispersion obtained, 12 g of tripropylene glycol monomethylether, a quantity corresponding to 20% by weight of plasticizer relativeto the weight of unneutralized polymer, are added with stirring. Themixture is left stirring for 48 hours at room temperature. Theplasticized pseudolatex thereby obtained is stable and contains 15% byweight of polymer and 3% by weight of plasticizer.

The particle size was measured in quasi-elastic light scattering using aCoulter model M4 instrument, and gave the following results:

Average particle size: 140 nm

Polydispersity factor: 0.20

The characteristics of this plasticized pseudolatex are very similar tothose of the plasticized pseudolatex obtained according to the processof Example 5, in which the plasticizing agent is introduced in the formof a mixture in the organic solvent.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES Example A

An aerosol hair lacquer is prepared by packaging, in a suitable aerosolcontainer:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 7                                                                   52     g                                             Dimethyl ether           45     g                                             Perfume                  0.05   g                                             Water q.s.               100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

The mixture forms just a single phase.

The valve is attached and the container is hermetically sealed.

The lacquer applied to the hair does not present a whitish appearance,and it dries quickly, possesses good lacquering power and good hold anddoes not produce a sticky effect on application and after drying.

The polymer fib is removed readily on shampooing.

Example B

According to the same procedure as that described in Example A, anaerosol hair lacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 10                                                                  36     g                                             Dimethyl ether           48     g                                             Perfume                  0.05   g                                             Water q.s.               100                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The mixture takes the form of a single homogeneous phase.

After spraying, drying is fast and an excellent hold of the hair isobtained.

The lacquer is removed readily on shampooing.

Example C

According to the same procedure as that described in Example A, anaerosol hair lacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 18                                                               40 g                                                    Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Dimethyl ether        50 g                                                    Water q.s.            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The mixture takes the form of a single homogeneous phase.

Example D

According to the same procedure as that described in Example A, anaerosol hair lacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 14                                                               24 g                                                    Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Dimethyl ether        30 g                                                    Water q.s.            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Example E

A fixing spray in a pump bottle is prepared by packaging, in a suitablecontainer:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 16                                                                 32 g                                                  Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Water q.s.             100 g                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The container when filled is then equipped with a spraying pump.

Example F

A fixing spray is prepared by making the following mixture:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 15                                                                 60 g                                                  Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Water q.s.             100 g                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The lotion obtained is then packaged in an atomizer which isrechargeable with compressed air.

Example G

A setting lotion having the following composition is prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 15                                                                 40 g                                                  Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Water q.s.             100 g                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Example H

An aerosol styling mousse having the following composition is prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 7                                                                   4      g                                             Polyvinyl alcohol sold under the name                                                                  0.5    g                                             "Mowiol 4088" by the company Hoechst                                          Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Water q.s.               100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

90 g of the composition obtained are introduced into an aerosol canwithout a dip tube. The valve is attached and the container ishermetically sealed, and 10 g of a butane/isobutane/propane propellentmixture (3.2 bars) are then introduced.

Example I

According to the same procedure as that in Example A, an aerosol hairlacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 15                                                               28 g                                                    Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Dimethyl ether        30 g                                                    Water q.s.            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The mixture takes the form of a single homogeneous phase.

The lacquer applied to the hair possesses a short drying time and goodlacquering power.

The film is readily removed on brushing and shampooing.

Example J

According to the same procedure as that described in Example H, astyling mousse having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 7                                                                   40     g                                             Hydroxyethylcellulose cetyl ester                                                                      0.5    g                                             sold under the name "Natrosol Plus                                            330 CS" by the company Aqualon                                                Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s. 100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

90 g of the composition thereby obtained are introduced into an aerosolcan without a dip tube. The valve is attached and the container ishermetically sealed. 10 g of a butane/isobutane/propane propellentfixture (3.2 bars) are then introduced.

On spraying, a rigid and firm mousse is obtained, which provides fixingpower as well as good cosmetic properties, in particular a good sheen.

Example K

According to the same procedure as that described in Example A, anaerosol hair lacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 5                                                                   59.4   g                                             Dimethyl ether           40     g                                             Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s. 100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example L

According to the same procedure as that described in Example A, anaerosol hair lacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 4                                                                25 g                                                    Dimethyl ether        30 g                                                    Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s.                                                                            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Example M

According to the same procedure as that described in Example E, a fixingspray in a pump bottle having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 1                                                                   33.3   g                                             Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s. 100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example N

According to the same procedure as that described in Example F, a fixingspray having the following composition, packaged in an atomizer which isrechargeable with compressed air, was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 2                                                                   46.7   g                                             Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s. 100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example O

A setting lotion having the following composition is prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 4                                                                 20 g                                                   Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Demineralized water q.s.                                                                            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Example P

An aerosol styling mousse having the following composition is prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 4                                                                   15     g                                             Polyvinyl alcohol sold under the name                                                                  0.5    g                                             "Mowiol 4088" by the company Hoechst                                          Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Water q.s.               100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

90 g of the composition obtained are introduced into an aerosol canwithout a dip tube. The valve is attached and the container ishermetically sealed, and 10 g of a butane/propane/isobutane propellentmixture (3.2 bars) are then introduced.

Example Q

According to the same procedure as that in Example A, an aerosol hairlacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 18                                                               32 g                                                    Perfume, colorant, preservative q.s.                                          Dimethyl ether        40 g                                                    Water q.s.            100 g                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The mixture takes the form of a single homogeneous phase.

Example R

According to the same procedure as that in Example A, an aerosol hairlacquer having the following composition was prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Plasticized pseudolatex of Example 7                                                                   3.56   g                                             Dimethicone copolyol sold under the                                                                    0.5    g                                             name "Silbione Huile 70646" by the                                            company Rhone Poulenc                                                         Perfume q.s.                                                                  Dimethyl ether           40     g                                             Water q.s.               100    g                                             ______________________________________                                    

The mixture takes the form of a single phase. Good spraying, good fixingqualities, good cosmetic qualities, good disentangling on brushing andgood removal on shampooing are obtained.

We claim:
 1. An aqueous cosmetic composition for fixing the haircomprising:(1) a plasticized pseudolatex consisting of an aqueousdispersion of:(a) particles of a film-forming polymer containingcarboxylic acid functions having an average diameter of between 10 and300 nm and a size polydispersity from 0.1 to 0.4, said film-formingpolymer being selected from the group consisting of:(i) vinylacetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenated copolymers, (ii) vinylacetate/crotonic acid copolymers, (iii) vinyl acetate/crotonicacid/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers, (iv) N-octylacrylamide/methylmethacrylate/hydroxypropyl methacrylate/acrylicacid/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers, (v) methyl vinylether/maleic anhydride alternating copolymers monoesterified withbutanol, (vi) acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butyl-acrylamideterpolymers, and (vii) polymers corresponding to the following formula:##STR2## in which: R, R' and R", which may be identical or different,represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical; m, n and t are 1 or 2; R₁represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl radicalhaving from 2 to 21 carbon atoms; R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, ethoxy, butoxy or dodecyloxy radical; R₃represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atomsor an alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents a bivalentradical selected from the group consisting of: --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CH₂-- and --CH₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ --; v represents a number corresponding to from10 to 91% by weight of said polymer; w represents a number correspondingto from 3 to 20% by weight of said polymer; x represents a numbercorresponding to from 4 to 60% by weight of said polymer; and yrepresents a number corresponding to from 0 to 40% by weight of saidpolymer; v+w+x+y being a number corresponding to 100% by weight of saidpolymer;the carboxylic acid functions of said film-forming polymer beingneutralized to a degree of neutralization of between 30% and 80% whensaid polymer has less than 2 meq/g of carboxylic functions, and thecarboxylic acid functions of said film-forming polymer being neutralizedto a degree of neutralization of between 10% and 50% when said polymerhas more than 2 meq/g of carboxylic acid functions; and (b) aplasticizing agent, present between 0.1 to 80% by weight relative to theweight of the neutralized film-forming polymer, said agent beingdistributed according to said agent's partition coefficient between saidparticles and the aqueous phase, said plasticized pseudolatex being usedin a proportion in which the particles of the dispersed film-formingpolymer are present between 2 and 30% by weight relative to the totalweight of the composition; and (2) water in a proportion in which thetotal water content is between 38 and 90% by weight relative to thetotal weight of the composition.
 2. The composition according to claim1, wherein said film-forming polymer containing carboxylic acidfunctions has an average molecular weight of between 5,000 and 700,000.3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatilemonobasic agent is selected from the group consisting of sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol,triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine,tris(2-hydroxy-1-propyl)amine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol.
 4. The composition according toclaim 1, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the groupconsisting of dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol methylether, diethyl adipate and diisopropyl adipate.
 5. The compositionaccording to claim 1, which contains said water in a proportion suchthat the total water content is between 70 and 86% by weight relative tothe total weight of the composition.
 6. The composition according toclaim 1, which contains said plasticized pseudolatex in a proportionsuch that the particles of the dispersed film-forming are presentbetween 2 and 15% by weight, said water is present in a proportion suchthat the total water content is between 70 and 90% and a propellant ispresent in a proportion between 2 and 15% by weight relative to thetotal weight of the composition.
 7. The composition according to claim6, wherein said propellant is dimethylether.
 8. The compositionaccording to claim 1, which further contains a cosmetic ingredientselected from the group consisting of a sunscreen agent, an antifoamingagent, a hydrating agent, a humectant, a perfume, a preservative, acolorant, an antioxidant, a protein and a silicone.
 9. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said composition is selected from thegroup consisting of an aqueous aerosol hair lacquer, an aqueous hairsetting lotion and an aqueous hair styling mousse.
 10. An aqueouscosmetic composition for fixing the hair comprising:(1) a plasticizedpseudolatex consisting of an aqueous dispersion of:(a) particles of afilm-forming polymer containing carboxylic acid functions having anaverage diameter of between 10 and 300 nm and a size polydispersity from0.1 to 0.4, said film-forming polymer being selected from the groupconsisting of:(i) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenatedcopolymers, (ii) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, (iii) vinylacetate/crotonic acid/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers, (iv)N-octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/hydroxypropyl methacrylate/acrylicacid/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers, (v) methyl vinylether/maleic anhydride alternating copolymers monoesterified withbutanol, (vi) acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butyl-acrylamideterpolymers, and (vii) polymers corresponding to the following formula:##STR3## in which: R, R' and R", which may be identical or different,represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical; m, n and t are 1 or 2; R₁represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl radicalhaving from 2 to 21 carbon atoms; R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, ethoxy, butoxy or dodecyloxy radical; R₃represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atomsor an alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents a bivalentradical selected from the group consisting of: --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CH₂-- and --CH₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ --; v represents a number corresponding to from10 to 91% by weight of said polymer; w represents a number correspondingto from 3 to 20% by weight of said polymer; x represents a numbercorresponding to from 4 to 60% by weight of said polymer; and yrepresents a number corresponding to from 0 to 40% by weight of saidpolymer; v+w+x+y being a number corresponding to 100% by weight of saidpolymer;the carboxylic acid functions of said film-forming polymer beingneutralized to a degree of neutralization of between 10 and 80% with anon-volatile monobasic agent; and (b) a plasticizing agent, presentbetween 0.1 to 80% by weight relative to the weight of the neutralizedfilm-forming polymer, said agent being distributed according to saidagent's partition coefficient between said particles and the aqueousphase, said plasticized pseudolatex being used in a proportion in whichthe particles of the dispersed film-forming polymer are present between2 and 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; and(2) water in a proportion in which the total water content is between 38and 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition;saidcomposition being selected from the group consisting of an aqueousaerosol hair lacquer, an aqueous hair-setting lotion and an aqueous hairstyling mousse.
 11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein saidcomposition comprises a propellant in a proportion between 2 and 60% byweight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 12. An aerosolhair lacquer for fixing the hair comprising:(1) 2% to 15% by weight ofparticles of a plasticized pseudolatex consisting of an aqueousdispersion of:(a) particles of a film-forming polymer containingcarboxylic acid functions having an average diameter of between 10 and300 nm and a size polydispersity from 0.1 to 0.4, said film-formingpolymer being selected from the group consisting of:(i) vinylacetate/crotonic acid polyoxyethylenated copolymers, (ii) vinylacetate/crotonic acid copolymers, (iii) vinyl acetate/crotonicacid/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers, (iv) N-octylacrylamide/methylmethacrylate/hydroxypropyl methacrylate/acrylicacid/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers, (v) methyl vinylether/maleic anhydride alternating copolymers monoesterified withbutanol, (vi) acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butyl-acrylamideterpolymers, and (vii) polymers corresponding to the following formula:##STR4## in which: R, R' and R" which may be identical or different,represent hydrogen atom or a methyl radical; m, n and t are 1 or 2; R₁represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl radicalhaving from 2 to 21 carbon atoms; R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, amethyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, ethoxy, butoxy or dodecyloxy radical; R₃represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atomsor an alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents a bivalentradical selected from the group consisting of: --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CH₂-- and --CH₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ --; v represents a number corresponding to from10 to 91% by weight of said polymer; w represents a number correspondingto from 3 to 20% by weight of said polymer; x represents a numbercorresponding to from 4 to 60% by weight of said polymer; and yrepresents a number corresponding to from 0 to 40% by weight of saidpolymer; v+w+x+y being a number corresponding to 100% by weight of saidpolymer;the carboxylic acid functions of said film-forming polymer beingneutralized to a degree of neutralization of between 30% and 80% whensaid polymer has less than 2 meq/g of carboxylic functions, and thecarboxylic acid functions of said film-forming polymer being neutralizedto a degree of neutralization of between 10% to 50% when said polymerhas more than 2 meq/g of carboxylic acid functions; and (b) aplasticizing agent, present in an amount of between 0.1 to 80% by weightrelative to the weight of the neutralized film-forming polymer, saidagent being distributed according to said agent's partition coefficientbetween said particles and the aqueous phase, said plasticizedpseudolatex being used in a proportion in which the particles of thedispersed film-forming polymer are present in an amount of between 2 and30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; (2) 38%and 90% by weight of water; and (3) 20% to 60% by weight ofdimethylether as propellant.